Quote:
Originally Posted by Nyororin
Saying that English is easier to learn is one of the most ridiculous things I have ever heard. It`s both an insult to Japanese and English. I think you do not realize the direct implications of what you are saying. Languages that are "easier" have to fall at a lower level of complexity than those that are "harder".
Are you going to tell me that English is less expressive and less able to convey ideas and concepts than Japanese? That is what considering it "easier" would be.
It is pure and total arrogance to toss up some trait of a language you do know as a reason it is "easier". But if you want to play on that sort of field - Japanese children are generally able to learn to read at a very early age. Why? Because hiragana/katakana are ALWAYS pronounced in the same way. There is no need for worries about "spelling", silent letters, dropped consonants, blended sounds, etc etc etc that are oh so very common in English. If I follow your logic, that would make Japanese much easier to learn.
|
Obviously speaking to you would be the same as talking to a wall, since you have NO idea what it means to have a second official language in a monocultural country. So I'll try to explain it you. I don't know how OP understands the whole "official second language" idea, because there are various situations where a country has two official languages but only one is the dominating while the second one is only used in some parts of the country. There are various degrees how the second language operates.
This is how I see the presence of English as the second official language in Japan. English will lose the status of a 'chosen' second language and starting from elementary school everyone will be taught no matter they want it or not. And being an "official" language in going to be used in courts, government meetings, food products, documents (of any kind) and other merchandise will be printed in both languages, all street signs, advertisement sign boards will have both languages in them, same goes for the media foreign movies will dubbed in Japanese with English subs and otherwise.
Now imagine a kid being born 10 years after "in such Japan", and think how hard will English be for him to learn when it's so evident in everyday life?
Now, to answer your to post. You can save your breath by explaining me something what I already know, and I'm not going to argue about it. Yes! English is a pain the ass! (Was that what you wanted me to say? I'll gladly say it again any time you want)
What I was trying explain, was that Japanese person would find English easier to learn when it's a part the everyday environment in which he was born.